STATE OF THE STATE BREAKFAST

This Year, Oneonta

Will Bloom With DRI

Money, Mayor Says

Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig, center, touted plans for a forthcoming re-design of Main Street as part of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, with work slated to begin this spring. With him on the panel, from right, are Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh and state Senator Jim Seward, R-Milford, speaking at the annual State of the State Breakfast, hosted by the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)

ONEONTA – This will be the year, Mayor Gary Herzig said, that the City of Oneonta begins to see the results of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grants

“In 60 days, we’ll unveil the redesign of our downtown,” he said. “And this redesign is not by City Hall, but by 80 downtown business owners who have submitted proposals for $2.5 million in funding for improvements. This is a downtown made possibly by the energy of our local businesses.”

Herzig, alongside Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh Kuch and state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, spoke at the annual State of the State breakfast, hosted by the Otsego County Chamber this morning at SUNY Oneonta’s Morris Hall.

Delaware Engineering hosted an open house and cut the ribbon on their new offices at 55 South Main St. in Oneonta this afternoon. “We looked at a lot of places,” said John Brust, principal. “But it was important that we stay in the City of Oneonta.” From left, Dave Ohman, president, Brust, state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, Mary Beth Bianconi, partner, Mayor Gary Herzig, Brock Juusola, partner, Barbara Ann Heegan, president, Otsego County Chamber of Commerce and Karen Laing, member services for the Chamber. (Libby Cudmore/AllOTSEGO.com)

Congressman John Faso, R-19, above, meets with the owner’s of Noah’s World in Oneonta, Sheila Andreic and husband Aleksandar, during a visit to Oneonta today. “The congressman … wanted to learn about initiatives in our county that focus on early learning and development.” said Barbara Ann Heegan, Otsego County Chamber of Commerce president. “I immediately thought of Noah’s World. They provide an excellent service for … parents who work struggle to find affordable, quality childcare.” He then went next door to tour the production floor of Toonie Moonie Organics with owner Kim Condon, inset, seen overlooking their kitchen. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)

AUTHORS SERIES – 1 p.m. Baseball author David Kelly present and discuss book “Ballpark Mysteries: The Cardinals Caper” Followed by a book signing in the Atrium. Included with Museum admission. The Bullpen Theater, Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown. Call 607-547-7200 or visit baseballhall.org/node/17198?date=0

ONEONTA – The crowd rose to its feet with a roaring applause at the annual Otsego County Chamber of Commerce dinner Thursday evening as Betty Bettiol made her way to the podium to accept the Distinguished Citizen Award, given posthumously to her husband, Eugene A. Bettiol Sr.

Accepting the award for her husband that was named in honor of her late son, Gene Bettiol, Jr., was an emotional moment for everyone in attendance, most of which knew Gene through many years of business in Oneonta.

Betty, her daughter Jaci, and her two grandsons Ryan Laytham and Eric Michelitch took to the stage to accept the award, with Jaci making an acceptance speech in her father’s honor.

“My father was not fond of receiving recognition, and would always say, ‘it’s not my time’,” said Jaci. “Well dad, time is up, and this is for you.”

HAPPENIN’ OTSEGO for FRIDAY, APRIL 20

MOVIE NIGHT – 7 – 8:30 p.m. Screening of “Landfill Harmonic,” a film about ‘The Recycled Orchestra,’ a group of children from a Paraguayan slum who play instruments made entirely of garbage. Milford Central School, 42 Main St., Milford. Call 607-547-4488 or visit occainfo.org/calendar/earth-festival-movie-night-2/